Monday, November 07, 2005

Movies To See List - November

(4th) Jarhead - From the British director who made the incredible films American Beauty AND Road to Perdition comes a look at American military life. I'm hoping this film will be every bit the work of art the other two were.

(4th) The Matador - This sounds a bit like Brosnan's other major departure from James Bond, The Tailor of Panama (where he played alongside a very young Daniel Radcliffe, for, errrr, those of you who care about that kind of thing). But I think that's a good thing.

(9th) The New World - Terrence Malick has been making films for almost 40 years, but this is only his fifth film to direct. Why? Because when he makes films he's really saying something and that takes time. His last film, The Thin Red Line, was a masterpiece, and I expect The New World to be the same.

(11th) Get Rich or Die Tryin' - So, okay, a biopic of 50 Cent wouldn't normally be on my to-see list. But if Jim Sheridan thinks it's a film-worthy story, it must be. I'm interested to see how this turns out.

(11th) Rent - "Live in my house...I'll be your shelter..." One of my three favorite stage musicals of all time, and they've got almost all of the original cast back. I never got to see the original cast live, but I've worn the CD out. I can't wait to see this thing.

(11th) Zathura - Pretty much Jumanji in space. But Jon Favreau is directing, so it should be good.

(18th) Breakfast on Pluto - Neil Jordan movies have to be seen on the big screen. As do movies featuring Liam Neeson and Cillian Murphy.

(18th) Walk the Line - *sigh* This will have to be the second fiddle movie of the weekend. I'm seeing it, regardless. Joaquin Phoenix is an incredible actor, and it looks like he's nailed Cash - even down to doing his own singing. I'm SO there.

(23rd) Syriana - I remember reading an article not long after 9/11 where screenwriter Stephen Gaghan (who wrote and directed this) said he wanted to do a political movie that dealt with terrorism, and I guess this turned out to be it. And George Clooney pulled a "Raging Bull", putting on 35 pounds in a month to play the main character. I think that ever since Batman Forever Clooney has been pouring all of his energies into getting away from that bad decision. And I can't help but be thankful, because he's made a LOT of great stuff since. I'm anxious to see this.

(23rd) The White Countess - Ralph Fiennes, Natasha Richardson, her mother Vanessa Redgrave, Vanessa's sister Lynn Redgrave, John Wood, and Alan Corudner in the last Merchant-Ivory film that will ever be made. How could I stay away?